Gaines Gives Update on Legislative Session

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  The North Shelby School Board met in regular and executive sessions on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. in the high school library.  All members were present.  Mrs. Tinna Croy, newly hired superintendent for the district, was also present. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

  Consent Agenda

  The board approved (7-0) the previous month’s regular and special sessions’ minutes and the bill list as presented.

Superintendent Report

  Kim Gaines updated the board on the current legislative session; there have been numerous bills filed, in both the House of Representatives and Senate, that will impact public education—open enrollment, school board recall elections, elimination of personal property tax, charter schools, virtual schools, Parents’ Bill of Rights, etc.

  Old Business

  The district met with representatives from LJ Hart via Zoom concerning the bond refinancing options.  In order for school districts to be able to utilize the Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority and use the state’s AA+ credit rating, school superintendents or a board representative must sign a form from the State Treasurer’s office saying they will follow the State Attorney General’s order to remove all COVID health precautions.  The North Shelby board of education voted 7-0 to not sign the compliance order and will therefore not realize as many savings—approximately $23,000 less.

  “Local boards of education have the authority to set health and safety guidelines that address health emergencies such as the current pandemic, and North Shelby has revised the district’s COVID protocols to meet the CDC guidelines. We are doing all we can to try and keep our doors open, and our board will consider many factors when deciding the protocols to keep or remove—not the Attorney General or State Treasurer,” Gaines stated.

  New Business

  Michelle Ratley, North Shelby Band Director and several of the high school band students presented three proposals to the board for consideration.

invited to perform at the 2022 Liberty Bowl December 26-30—Beale Street Parade and a separate field show competition–with bands from across the country. They may also have an opportunity to perform at Graceland as well. The band will be doing fund-raising to help provide funds for this trip. The board approved this trip 7-0.

  The second proposal from the band students was to add additional summer clinicians for Color Guard and Percussion and pay them $250 each.

  The last proposal was for the purchase of new band uniforms for the 2022-2023 marching season.  The last two proposals were tabled until the February meeting.

  Elementary Principal Report

  Jennifer Rich provided the following information to the board:

  The Sprint Scholar Bowl tournament was postponed due to inclement weather and has been re-scheduled for Saturday, February 5.

  Students participated in AMI (alternative method of instruction) Wednesday-Friday of last week. Teachers were busy preparing lessons and packets for students on Monday and Tuesday morning. Parents were able to pick work up on Tuesday afternoon. We had 100 percent pick up work for their children!

  High School Principal

  Kerri Greenwell provided the following information to the board:

  Professional Development was held on January 3. Houston Bichsel, David Stuckey, and Jaime Williams shared information and ideas they gained from the Wellness Symposium they attended. Other topics for the day were assessment data, the Continuous School Improvement Plan, ALICE training refresher, and using AMI (Alternative Method of Instruction) days if needed.

  The district used AMI days on January 19 – 21 due to the increased COVID cases.

  Third-quarter grade checks are February 4.

  The SPRINT Scholar Bowl Tournament was rescheduled for February 5.

  Congratulations to Alexa Mesmer for winning 1st in the FCCLA Career Investigation Star Event and qualifying for state.

  Congratulations to Ava Williams for being selected as the Hawkins-Harrison Insurance Overtime Player of the Week earlier this month.

  Freshmen and Sophomore FFA members attended the Area III Greenhand Motivational Conference on January 5.

  Executive Session

  The board accepted the retirement letter of Jennifer Chandler as business teacher and the resignation letter of Trace Windsor as the elementary special education teacher at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. The board also voted to offer the elementary secretary position to LaNise Nastav. All votes in executive session were 7-0/roll call.

  First, the Marching Raiders have been